Crystal River current. [volume] (Crystal, Colo.) 1886-18??, 1887-05-14
An Atlantic Voyage Forty Years
Ago.

l u
| Ago.
At the period OF which I speak, the
sailing packets which ran between Lon.
don and New York, and between Liv-
erpool and that port, were ships OF
five to six hundred tons burden. The
staterooms-as the little cabins rang
ed on either side OF the saloon were
termed-were below the sea-level.
They were incommodious, dark, and
ill.ventilated. In feet, the only light
they enjoyed was that furnished by
small pieces of glass inserted in the
deck overhead, and from the fan-lights
in the doors opening to the saloon,
and this was 80 poor that the occu-
pants OF the staterooms could not
even dress themselves without max
ing use OF lamp. The sole ven-
ti!ation OF them was that afforded by
the removal of the saloon skylights,
which, of course, could only be done in
fine weather. The consequence was
that the closeness OF the atmosphere
in the staterooms was at all times
most unpleasant; while the smell of
the bilge.water was SO offensive as to
create nausea, independent of that
arising from the motion of the vessel.
In winter, OH the other hand, the cold
was frequently severe. There was, it
is true, a stove in the saloon. but the
heat from it scarcely made itself ap-
probably felt in the side-cabins.
In other matters there was the
yame absence OF provision for the COM
fort OF the passengers The fresh wa
ter required for drinking and cooking
purposes was carried in casks; and
when the ship had a full cargo, many
OF these were placed on deck, with the
result that their contents were some
times impregnated with salt water
from the waves shipped in bad wealth.
er. At all times the water was most
impalatable, it being muddy, and fill
ed with various impurities from the
old worm-eaten barrels in which it
was kept. Not only was the water
bad, but the supply occasionally
proved inadequate; and when the
voyage was an unusually long one,
the necessity would arise of placing
the passengers upon short allowance
There was always COW on board;
but there was no other milk to be had
than what she supplied, no way of
preserving it having then been discov-
cred. Canned fruit and vegetables
were equally unknown. There was
commonly a fair provision of mutton
and pork, live sheep and pigs being
carried; but OF other fresh meat and
OF fish, the stock was generally ex-
hausted by the time the vessel had
been a few days at sea; refrigerators
at that period not having been in
vented.
But the arrangements on board these
ships were detective in much more inn
portant matters than in not provid.
ing a good table for the passengers.
The boats-sven when they were sea-
worthy. which frequently was not the
case-were 80 few in number thst, in
the event OF shipwreck, there was no
possibility oftheirholdingm more than a
third OF the souls ON board. The long
boat, indeed was practically useless in
an emergency, as it was almost invaria-
bly, filled up with sheds for the accom-.
mediation for thecow, sheep. and pigs;
and it would have been several hours
work to clear the boat and launch her.
If the cabin passengers had good
cause to complain that neither their
safety nor their comfort was sufficient
ly studied, the condition of the steer
age passengers was infinitely worse.
Men, women, and children were hud-
died like sheep in the quarters assigned
them, no separation o. the sexes be.
ing attempted. The berths, which
ran on either side OF the vessel, were
not enclosed, and were without. cur
tains. The women were compelled to
dress and undress before the. eyes of
their male passengers, and exposed to
their coarse remarks and scurrilOus
jests. Indeed, the moral downfall OF
many q poor girl was to be attributed
to her feelings OF decency and modesty
having been blunte1 by her painful
experiences during the voyage.
The steerage passengers were requir-
ed to both supply and cook their own
fierce struggle for place at the galley
sarily went to the wall; and some-
times several days would pass with.
out any warm food being obtained by
those who were most in need of it.
Again, when there was a storm, or
even when the ship experienced heavy
weather. the matches were closed, rem
dering the atmosphere OF the steerage
almost sitting. In fact, the condition
and treatment OF this class of .passen-
gers were simply abominable, and such
as to reflect deep discredit upon the
government fer allowing so many
years to elapse ere any attempt was
made to deal with the evil.-Cham-
bers's Journal.
Description Of Gen. MOsby.
An ex-confederate gives the follow
ing description Of the guerilla general
and ex-consul to Hong Kong: John
g. Mostly is slight, bent, blonde man,